We are EightySeven.
A Chicago-based, globally-supported branding studio sparking clarity and creativity for ambitious founders by connecting people with passion. We specialize in designing transformative brands that turn vision into lasting brand value. Fusing strategy, story, and design into creative equity.
Our Story
EightySeven began in 2014 as a side project, taking on the occasional logo or brand commission. What started as a creative outlet quickly revealed something larger: the spark of branding has the power to inspire people, shift perspectives, and unlock growth.
By 2018, that spark became our focus. The studio evolved from “making logos” into a collaborative practice. Bringing creativity into the boardroom, where it belongs. We saw firsthand how design, story, and strategy could drive real business value when aligned with a founder’s vision. Since then, we’ve grown, adapted, and refined our craft. From startups chasing their first big break to established companies navigating transformation, we’ve helped leaders shape identities that last, built strategies that connect, and told stories that spark new opportunities.
EightySeven is more than a name, it’s a reminder. Taken from our founder’s birth year, it grounds us in the belief that branding should start with joy, carry a personal passion, and build a foundation strong enough to shape how the world feels. Today, we are a remote-first studio supported by a global collective of expert designers, writers, and creative problem solvers. Together, we partner directly with bold leaders, people with ambitious vision, courage, and a willingness to embrace change.
Our work is guided by clarity, confidence, creativity, and connection the four constants that spark lasting brand value. We believe the best brands embrace a rebellious spirit, never following trends, but creating their own in such a loud way that people rally as a community around them. They embrace forward-thinking ideas, defy expectations, and leave people with a feeling they can’t forget.
This is the heart of EightySeven: a studio built to transform vision into lasting brand equity, shaping not just what a business looks like, but how it’s experienced, remembered, and valued.

Our Services
Strategy & Vision
We begin with a knowledge exchange with your leadership team to learn about your business, industry, and storytelling, igniting a strategic and creative spark that guides our collective creativity and sets the stage for innovative ideas.
Vision, Purpose, Mission
Brand Values & Behaviors
Brand Feeling & Empathy
Audience Research & Insights
Positioning & Alignment
Design & Storytelling
Our team will create a unique and engaging visual and verbal design systems that consistently and creatively tell your larger story while leaving people with a lasting feeling and impression unique to you.
Visual & Verbal Identity
Brand & Product Naming
Sound & Motion Design
Typography & Illustration
Brand Guidelines
Activation & Support
With creative thinking in place, we work directly with you and your team to implement our ideas through consistent and innovative solutions that engage, inform, and foster long-term relationships with people.
Website Design
Brand Campaigns
Packaging Design
Retail & Environmental
Sales Materials
Our Stats
Founded in 2019
Based in Chicago, IL
Clients & Talent Worldwide
Our Specialists
We’re remote first, with creative spaces to meet and collaborate in person.
While we’re proudly based in Chicago, we have a remote-first culture with creative hubs where we can collaborate in person. We leverage modern tools and dynamic workspaces to provide our creative collective and clients the most flexibility and value while working with our studio.
Meeting in person? Remote via Zoom? Yes.
Maxwell Billings
Creative Director, Founder
Cat Martin
Studio Manager, Strategist
Our Spaces
We’re remote first, with creative spaces in Chicago and NYC to collaborate in person.
While we’re proudly based in Chicago, we are remote-first culture with creative hubs where we can collaborate in person. We leverage modern tools and dynamic workspaces to provide our creative collective and clients the most flexibility and value while working with our studio. Meeting in person? Remote via Zoom? Yes.
Our Showcase 🏆
We don’t do this for the awards, but we love it when the brands we create with our clients get the recognition they deserve.
2024 Davey Awards, Gold Branding
2024 Davey Awards, Silver Branding
2024 Davey Awards, Silver Branding
2024 Davey Awards, Gold Branding
2024 Davey Awards, Gold Branding
2023 DesignRush Branding Agency of The Month (Jun.)
2023 DesignRush Branding Agency of The Month (Feb.)
2022 Davey Awards, Gold Branding
2022 Davey Awards, Silver Branding
2022 Davey Awards, Silver Brand Voice
2022 World Brand Society, Silver Brand Voice
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2021 Muse Creative Awards, Platinum Branding
2021 Muse Creative Awards, Gold Branding
2021 Davey Awards, Best In Show Branding
2021 Davey Awards, Best In Show Branding
2021 Davey Awards, Gold Packaging Design
2021 NYX Awards, Grand Award Corporate Identity
2021 Marcom Awards, Gold Branding & Identity
2021 Marcom Awards, Platinum Branding & Identity
2021 Marcom Awards, Gold Pro Bono
2021 Marcom Awards, Platinum Packaging
2021 International Visual Identity Awards, Gold
2021 International Visual Identity Awards, Best-In-Category
2021 Creativity International Awards, Silver Packaging
2021 Creativity International Awards, Silver Branding2020 Best Brand Awards, Award of Excellence
2020 Best Brand Awards, Best in Asia Runner Up
2020 Best Brand Awards, Best in Americas Runner Up
2020 Best Brand Awards, Best in Americas Runner Up
2020 Davey Awards, Best In Show Branding
2020 Davey Awards, Silver Branding
2020 Davey Awards, Gold Branding2018 Davey Awards, Gold Branding
2018 Davey Awards, Gold Print Advertising
Our Specifics
Some frequently asked questions by founders and leaders.
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We could certainly describe our process in detail, but we feel it’s more powerful to hear about our clients' experiences directly.
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We create brands that spark clarity of vision, confidence in mission, creativity in communication, and connection with the people these brands were made for.
Our process focuses on building a strong foundation for leaders and founders to build from so they can bring their brand visions to life. We help identify and encourage the moments of insight and inspiration that can help brands capture attention and reinforce the right feelings with their audiences.
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This depends on which of our brand engagements are best for your business.
We offer workshops that can be completed within a week while our more comprehensive branding projects with (87)BrandFusion typically take between three and six months.
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While our engagements can vary in depth and duration depending on your needs, they are all executed in four key phases:
Onboarding & Learning
Brand Focus (Strategy & Alignment)
Brand Design (Creative Development)
Brand Activation (Finalization) -
If you’re looking to start a branding project in the next 1-2 months, feel free to contact us and we’ll set up a time to talk.
Our minimum investment for full branding services starts at $70k, and can be adjusted depending on your specific needs and objectives. We do not do spec work, trial engagements, or white labeling services.
However, we are big fans of paid pitches.
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Depending on our availability, we are typically able to schedule and start our engagements within 2-3 weeks of formalizing scope and signing the project contract.


Like our vibe?
If you're navigating change, chasing growth, or ready to reposition your business, we’ll help you spark a brand that leads with purpose and moves people to action.